On a Sunny Saturday in August, Reaseheath College was once again taken over by the Drake Explorer Unit to host the 2nd Explorerfest 24hr camp over for the District’s Explorers.
As Explorers arrived to represent all Units in the District, they were signed in, the sunshine playlist was already blaring out across the campus. With their festival wristbands on, Shipton, Mallory, Fiennes and Drake became one team with the objective of having fun.
The campground was soon occupied with tents, and the group from Drake that we lightheartedly nickname ‘the girl band’ had erected what can be described as a luxury yurt!
The games then commenced with a circuit of challenges, including the Reaseheath students favourite, The Tractor Pull. The hot sunny daily lent itself perfectly to the bucket and sponge water challenges, with most Explorers getting a surprise cooling shower at some point!
The chill time on the campground was soon over for Explorers, and the Explorerfest Team had transformed the courtyard and bar area into the Wild West saloon for the evening entertainment.
The comfy outfits of the afternoon were swapped for Wild West fancy dress and it was off to The Courtyard area for the evening.
The Bucking Bronco Rodeo ride was what greeted the Explorers as they arrived into the courtyard, and the temporary tattoo and henna station was ready for them to get creative.
Local band The Dodgems kicked off the music with some fab lead vocals from ex-Drake Explorer Oscar Phillips. Although the evening was still early, the Explorers found their voices and fancy footwork to start partying. The Dodgems got the evening well and truly started with some Explorer favourites.
The Explorerfest team were well underway on the griddle cooking burgers and sausages that had been made on site by Drake Explorers at Reaseheath, under the direction of the Reaseheath Master Butcher Gary Evans. The Farm to Fork programme that Gary is leading on for Reaseheath and Nationally, has supported Drake Explorers and their fundraising, with a number of outstanding farm & food experiences.
As burgers and hotdogs were being served up, it was another locally raised talent who took to the stage in the Courtyard Bar with her guitar and vocals. At just 15, Daisy Ball has already played at the Coop Arena in Manchester at a sell out Yungblud gig. Daisy very much commanded the stage with her stunning vocals and music, with some of her Explorer school friends cheering her on.
Outside in the courtyard, Explorers and Explorerfest event team took on the challenge of the Bucking Bronco ride with huge smiles, even as they gently landed on the inflatable crash mats. Even those who already had a belly full of Burgers and Hotdogs were up full this Wild West challenge.
The Explorers crowded around the Bucking Bronco ride as members local band Unit 17, the headline act for the evening, had a pre-set warm up on the rodeo bull, and of course, burgers and hotdogs. Last year it was Lead Singer Jonah Shaw who played fur Explorerfest, and the band members who came along to help him set up and support him last year, made a generous commitment to come back this year as a full band.
The energy of Explorerfest ramped up to 100% energy, fun and excitement when Unit 17 took to the stage, and the Explorers got the chance to have this band who now gig all across the UK including The Isle Of Wight Festival and large venues in major cities, all to themselves. While this was a small audience for the band, they gave stadium gig energy and entertainment.
Hearing the District’s Explorers singing their hearts out with the band to bangers artists such as Oasis, Artic Monkeys, White Stripes and Queen was a sight & sound to behold. The band’s own music was stunning and matched the entertainment of the familiar covers.
At 9.30pm, it was time for DJ Rob, husband of Drake Leader Dan, to hit the decks and fill the courtyard bar with a playlist of requests from the Explorers. The dance floor was never empty, the conga line led by the Explorerfest Team snaked in and around the courtyard and energy levels peaked.
Cowboy hats and boots were a blur on the dance floor , the soft drinks at the bar were flowing and the last of burgers were finished. As midnight approached the Explorerfest team made gallons of hot chocolate, to help the Explorers relax for returning to their tents.
With the camp settled for the night, it was time for the Explorerfest team to get a bit of respite and prep for the Explorerfest breakfast in the morning.
The sun warmed up the campground in the morning, as Explorers had a relaxed breakfast, hot drinks and debriefed of the evening. There was still a bit of fancy dress being donned by Explorers and the team, and laughter was the soundtrack.
With a leisurely pack down of the campground, it was then the final time around the campus flagpole, to reflect and thank everyone for the safe, successful Explorerfest 2026.
For 2027, we hope to do it all again.
